An Important disclaimer! The information provided on this page is not legal advice. Transmission of this information is not intended to create, and receipt by you does not constitute, an attorney-client relationship. Readers must not act upon any information without first seeking advice from a qualified attorney.

The current system of inter-country adoptions often leaves children vulnerable to abduction and would-be parents vulnerable to extortion or fraud. There is no doubt that the ratification of the Hague Convention on International Adoption will help eliminate many of the overlapping and burdensome requirements that presently exist in international adoptions. It makes international adoptions more accessible and convenient and protects the best interest of the child. The US signed the Hague Convention in 1994. Since then, legislation to implement the Convention has been under consideration in both the House (HR 2909) and the Senate (S 682). In March of this year a compromise acceptable to the leadership in both the House and Senate Committees was reached. Unfortunately, the Convention is once again stalled as a result of measures that two Representatives want added to the bill. As other countries are calling on the US to lead the way and protect the integrity of international adoption and as we purport to be the great protectors of children's rights and welfare, what will it take for our Representatives to stop squabbling and start protecting the rights of American parents and foreign families who entrust their children to our care?

House Committee on the Judiciary to Hold Hearing on the "Agricultural Opportunities Act"
On June 15, 2000, the Committee on the Judiciary, Subcommittee on Immigration and Claims is scheduled to hold a hearing on H.R. 4548, the "Agricultural Opportunities Act." The bill establishes a pilot program creating a system of registries of temporary agricultural workers and amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to streamline procedures for the temporary admission and extension of stay of nonimmigrant agricultural workers.

Mexican 'Hometown Clubs' Turn Activist
The Los Angeles Times reports that a potentially powerful coalition of Mexican "hometown clubs" based in Los Angeles has been formed to support organized labor's call for immigration reform, including a new amnesty.

Cuba Assesses U.S. Migration Policy
According to the Washington Post, Cuba praised the U.S. decision to refuse asylum to Cuban baseball star Andy Morales, but still attacked American policies that Havana says encourage people like Morales and Elian Gonzalez's mother to migrate illegally to the United States.

Legislation to Speed Up Adoption Treaty Gets Bogged Down
Legislation to approve the Hague Convention on Intercountry Adoption, which the United States signed in 1994, has been waylaid by two lawmakers who are pressing for changes that proponents say could be deal killers according to the Los Angeles Times.

Coming soon Case Tracking Application
We are happy to announce that immigrants will soon be able to track the progress of their cases handled by attorneys offices. For more details, please visit. http://www.ilw.com/casestatus

Georgia Criminal Law and INS Issues
Poster Jtaco, a criminal defense lawyer in Georgia, is seeking information on the interplay of criminal and immigration law. Georgia recently passed a law requiring that all criminal defendants be advised of the immigration consequences of a guilty plea. You can read the law here.

We encourage correspondence on any immigration related matters and comments
on the ILW.COM site. Send letters to editor@ilw.com.
Letters may be edited for clarity, legal and space considerations, and may be published and otherwise used
in any medium.